It is impossible to talk or to write without apparently throwing oneself helplessly open. Herman Melville More Quotes by Herman Melville More Quotes From Herman Melville All of us have monarchs and sages for kinsmen; nay, angels and archangels for cousins; since in antediluvian days, the sons of God did verily wed with our mothers, the irresistible daughters of Eve. Thus all generations are blended: and heaven and earth of one kin: the hierarchies of seraphs in the uttermost skies; the thrones and principalities in the zodiac; the shades that roam throughout space; the nations and families, flocks and folds of the earth; one and all, brothers in essence-oh, be we then brothers indeed! All things form but one whole. Herman Melville cousindaughtermother In the operative opinion of the world, he who is already fully provided with what is necessary for him, that man shall have more;while he who is deplorably destitute of the same, he shall have taken away from him even that which he hath. Yet the world vows it is a very plain, downright matter-of-fact, plodding, humane sort of world. Herman Melville takenmenworld Old age is always wakeful; as if, the longer linked with life, the less man has to do with aught that looks like death. Herman Melville insomniatimemen An utterly fearless man is a far more dangerous comrade than a coward. Herman Melville fearsuccesshappiness We cannot live for ourselves alone. Herman Melville serving-the-communityinvisible-threads For, as when the red-cheeked, dancing girls, April and May, trip home to the wintry, misanthropic woods; even the barest, ruggedest, most thunder-cloven old oak will at least send forth some few green sprouts, to welcome such glad-hearted visitants . . . Herman Melville girldancinghome It is hard to be finite upon an infinite subject, and all subjects are infinite. Herman Melville subjectsinfinitewisdom Faith and philosophy are air, but events are brass. Herman Melville eventsairphilosophy All men live enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but it is only when caught in the swift, sudden turn of death, that mortals realize the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life. And if you be a philosopher, though seated in the whale-boat, you would not at heart feel one whit more of terror, than though seated before your evening fire with a poker, and not a harpoon, by your side. Herman Melville your-sideheartmen For whatever is truly wondrous and fearful in man, never yet was put into words or books. Herman Melville fearmenbook Man and boy, I have lived ever since I can remember. Herman Melville remembermenboys And what is it, thought I, after all! It’s only his outside; a man can be honest in any sort of skin. Herman Melville honestskinsmen I'll try a pagan friend, thought I, since Christian kindness has proved but hollow courtesy. Herman Melville christiankindnesstrying Only the man who says no is free Herman Melville he-manmen Better to sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian. Herman Melville christiandrinkinginspirational Let faith oust fact; let fancy oust memory; I look deep down and do believe. Herman Melville memoriesbelievelooks When I think of this life I have led; the desolation of solitude it has been; the masoned, walled-town of a Captain's exclusiveness, which admits but small entrance to any sympathy from the green country without - oh, weariness! heaviness! Guinea-coast slavery of solitary command! Herman Melville lifecountrythinking That nameless and infinitely delicate aroma of inexpressible tenderness and attentiveness which, in every refined and honorable attachment, is contemporary with the courtship, and precedes the final banns and the rite; but which, like the bouquet of the costliest German wines, too often evaporates upon pouring love out to drink, in the disenchanting glasses of the matrimonial days and nights. Herman Melville marriagewinelove And yet self-knowledge is thought by some not so easy. Who knows, my dear sir, but for a time you may have taken yourself for somebody else? Stranger things have happened. Herman Melville takenselfmay All visible objects, man, are but as pasteboard masks. But in each event — in the living act, the undoubted deed — there, some unknown but still reasoning thing puts forth the mouldings of Herman Melville eventsdeedsmen
